Samardzija likely to start season on DL with shoulder injury

The San Francisco Giants already thin starting pitching depth will be tested early on this season.

Manager Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Jeff Samardzija underwent an MRI on Thursday due to a shoulder injury and will likely begin the season on the disabled list. The MRI was still being examined so the severity of the injury will be released later in the evening.

Samardzija has struggled this spring, posting a 10.64 ERA and 2.18 WHIP across 11 innings in which he's been tagged for six home runs. Bochy admits that his injury is likely the reason behind his poor performance.

"I think he's been dealing with it," Bochy said, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. "He hasn't said anything. That's who he is. He kept pitching with it."

Samardzija has been a workhorse throughout his career and hasn't thrown under 200 innings since 2012. He led the National League in innings pitched last season with 207 2/3.

With Samardzija sidelined, the Giants' Opening Day rotation will likely consist of Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto, Derek Holland, Chris Stratton, and Ty Blach.